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Expeditionary Center master sergeant represents Air Force in NJ Hall of Fame induction

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Christie L.S. Dragan and Staff Sgt. Nathan G. Bevier
  • U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  "That lieutenant is six miracles in one," said Master Sgt. Jeff Norway, reflecting on his experience meeting U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Brennan, who received the first Unsung Hero Award during the 2009 New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 3 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, N.J.

"It was a year ago this week when he was injured in combat," said Sergeant Norway referring to the severe injuries Lieutenant Brennan received while leading a patrol as a Ranger in Afghanistan last May.

Lieutenant Brennan, a Howell, N.J., native, was in a coma having suffered an acute brain injury, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, a ruptured spleen, multiple compound fractures to his left arm and the amputation of both legs, according to the Hall of Fame program. After nearly a year of surgeries and therapy, Lieutenant Brennan walked onto the stage Sunday on prosthetic legs.

"Seeing him move was an inspiration," Sergeant Norway said. "The lieutenant went through a horrific experience few can even imagine. I salute him for his heroism and strength."

Sergeant Norway, who works as the NCO in charge of the Mobility Operations School's Air Transportation Branch at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center on Fort Dix, was the lone Air Force representative for the Unsung Hero portion of the ceremony. He was one of five representatives from all the armed services - Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard - who stood in formation as Lieutenant Brennan was presented his award from Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commander.

"It came as a total surprise to Lieutenant Brennan that General Petraeus came to the ceremony," Sergeant Norway said. "I was very honored to be a part of that formation and to represent our Air Force."

Sergeant Norway said General Petraeus recounted the story of how he visited the still comatose lieutenant in the hospital, saluted him and spoke the Ranger motto, "Curahee" -- a Cherokee word meaning "stand alone." At that moment, Lieutenant Brennan sat up in his bed at attention.

"That part of the story caught up with me later," Sergeant Norway said. "I could see the meeting taking place as if I were there."

Other inductees that day represented a wide diversity of New Jersey's population and included actors Bud Abbot and Lou Costello, musician Jon Bon Jovi, writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, comedian Jerry Lewis, inventor Guglielmo Marconi, basketball star Shaquille O'Neal, Yankee shortstop Phil Rizzuto, scientist Carl Sagan and poet Walt Whitman, among several others.

For Sergeant Norway, it was the military portion of the event that resonated most.

"It was incredible listening to General Petraeus speaking about the whole thing," Sergeant Norway said. "Being among the celebrities was exciting too, but talking with Lieutenant Brennan and his family -- that was real life. It puts you on the ground level and reminds you of the end result that can happen when things go wrong."

Sergeant Norway was selected to attend the ceremony because of his "outstanding" commitment to the Air Force and his "exceptional" support in honoring military veterans, said Col. Mark Loeben, acting vice commander for the Expeditionary Center.

"Master Sergeant Norway is one of our top NCOs, and a great role model for our younger Airmen." Colonel Loeben said. "The Expeditionary Center was proud to send a representative to help honor Lt. Brennan, one of our fellow service members who is truly a hero to New Jersey, and to all Americans."

Created in 2005 by state legislation, the New Jersey Hall of Fame honors native residents who have made outstanding contributions to their home state, the nation and the world.

In his remarks to the audience, Lieutenant Brennan, the newly minted New Jersey "Unsung Hero" said, "I accept this award for all the good, hard-working Americans who do not receive honors. I did only what any patriotic American would do."